Real Madrid’s extraordinary summer in the transfer market has achieved another remarkable milestone. The club officially confirmed the transfer of 20-year-old forward Jacobo Ortega to Ligue 1 side RC Strasbourg Alsace on a five-year contract.
The operation, valued at €10 million for 70% of the player’s rights, represents a landmark deal for La Fábrica. Ortega becomes the most expensive academy player Real Madrid have ever sold without making an official first-team debut.
Deal Structure & Future Value
By retaining a 30% sell-on stake alongside matching rights and buy-back options, Real Madrid ensure long-term financial interest in Ortega’s development as he steps into senior European football.
| Parameter | Transfer Details |
| Purchasing Club | RC Strasbourg Alsace (Ligue 1) |
| Transfer Fee | €10 Million |
| Rights Sold | 70% (Real Madrid retain 30% + buy-back options) |
| Contract Duration | 5 Years (until June 2031) |
| Key Accomplishment | 2025–26 UEFA Youth League Winner (Juvenil A) |
An Eight-Year Journey at Valdebebas
Ortega joined La Fábrica in 2018 at the age of 12 and systematically progressed through the youth ranks over eight seasons. During the 2025–26 campaign, his powerful profile, aerial presence, and finishing ability proved decisive, scoring 18 goals across Juvenil A, Real Madrid C, and Castilla to lead Juvenil A to UEFA Youth League glory.
Official Club Statement
“Real Madrid C.F. and RC Strasbourg Alsace have agreed to the transfer of our player Jacobo Ortega. Real Madrid will always be his home and thanks Jacobo Ortega for his dedication during all these years he has been part of our club. Real Madrid wishes him and his family all the best in this new stage of his life.”
The RMxtra Verdict
This transfer encapsulates why Valdebebas is the premier talent factory in world football. Securing €10 million up front while keeping 30% of his future rights for a player who never featured in an official senior match is a masterclass in asset management.
Ortega receives a clear pathway to regular Ligue 1 football, while Real Madrid continue to turn academy excellence into massive financial power.